Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, consisting primarily of a huge lake and ambient marshes, is situated about 64 km to the West of Ahmedabad near Sanand Village, in the Gujarat state of India. Mainly inhabited by migratory birds in winter and spring, it is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India.
The lake measures 123 km², attracts over 210 species of birds in the winter, and harbours a variety of flora and fauna. Thousands of migratory waterfowl flock to this sanctuary just after the Indian monsoon season. The shallow area and ponds on the outer fringes of the lake attract the wading birds that feed in the shallow waters. Besides a few mammalian species including the endangered wild ass and the blackbuck, its migratory bird population includes Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons.
Millions of birds visit the delightful bird sanctuary in winter and spring. It harbours over 250 species of wetland birds. Winter migrants from the north including Rosy Pelicans, Flamingos, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons visit Nal Sarovar.
Between November and February, this 123 km2 lake, is home to vast flocks of indigenous and migratory birds. Ducks, geese, pelicans and flamingos are best seen early in the morning and in the evening and the sanctuary is best visited as a day excursion by taxi, as buses are infrequent and there is no convenient accommodation.
The best time to reach there is just before Sunrise as the lake is calm and quiet and flock of birds waiting for their regular food. The water in the lake is only about 4 feet deep and the boatmen are quite friendly guides. The vast lake comprises several places of interest. You might just find the original Gujarati Food in its simplest form and yet so yummy at one of the bet(small islands between the lake).
You can take a Horse Ride with a number of white and brown horses at the lake side.
Migrating Bharwad shepherds populates the islands of the lake and on the banks are the Padhars, who are excellent folk dancers, artisans and boatmen. One can hire country boats on the lake for bird viewing, and picnic at shacks the on the islands.
Here you will see kingfishers, egrets, darters, storks and cormorants spear or catch fish with their dagger shaped beaks. You will also get to see jacanas, moorehens, coots, grebes and ducks feeding mainly on plants, straining water from their specially designed beaks and keeping the food in. You will see the flamingos using their long necks and legs to probe the waters and snipes and godwits probing into mud for food with their long bills.
It is easy to notice the sheer variety of colour, pattern and a cacophony of sounds that these birds use for recognition and courtship. They can be seen using the same devices for threats and aggression as they vie with each other for nesting and feeding space. There just cannot be anyplace where one can see so much wildlife in a single day ! A pair of binoculars and a person well versed in local bird life will surely make this one of the best outings. Nalsarovar is a seasonal lake spread over an area of 115 sq.km. It is known to harbour more than 250 species of birds. In winter the migratory birds descend on the Nal in their thousands. Visitors are ferried in small boats and to experience a sunrise or a sunset while gliding gently through the silent waters, with birds silhouetted in the golden orange glow will lift any sagging spirits
The interpretation center named as ‘Abhiruchi Kendra’ has been developed at a cost of Rs. 42 lakhs including Rs. 15 lakhs for kiosks. So far 225 types of birds are recorded in Nal Sarovar area. 140 of them are water-birds and 70 of them are migratory. Out of these 70, only 25 to 30 are easily observed by the visitors and tourists. The interpretation center focuses on these 30 species. Some of the species are Flamingo, Pelican Egret, Heron, Ducks, Cormorant, Crane etc. Migratory bird’s travel distance, place of origin, cross section prototype of Nal Sarovar’s under water life etc. are exhibited in the center. A reverse osmosis plant is also set up to offer pure drinking water to visitors.
